Development of a mathematical model using response surface methodology in predicting injuries to out-of-position occupants from frontal airbags

Abstract

Frontal- and side- impact airbags are developed primarily to reduce occupant injuries during vehicle collisions. However, such safety feature has been identified to have caused fatal injuries to out-of-position smaller females and children. This paper is aimed at investigating the predictive capability of the response surface methodology (RSM) in estimating occupants' injury levels. Numerical simulations are utilized in analyzing the injury levels of occupants from a deploying airbag when subjected to various design variables such as seating configurations and airbag parameters. It was shown from this study that the proposed mathematical model was accurate and sufficient in predicting the occupants' injury levels. This prediction model can be utilized in the design process of future airbags prior to experimental runs.